Computer-Based Compensatory Augmentative Communications Technology for Physically Disabled, Visually Impaired, and Speech Impaired Students

Compensatory Augmentative Communications Technology is the use of computers and related technology to augment written or verbal communication. In this paper we describe augmentative writing systems for physically disabled and visually impaired students and augmentative communication systems for nonverbal speech impaired students. The components used in creating augmentative systems are detailed with specific examples of the systems used in the Educational Center for Disabled Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Issues in assessment, system selection, and training and system limitations are discussed.